Edinburgh Marathon 2013 – A Runners Tale
Having decided to take up running and join Blackhill Bounders on 9th May 2012, there I was minding my own business on Wednesday 18th July 2012, and a little voice popped up in my head and screamed “Enter the Edinburgh Marathon, you know you want to” 10 minutes later and I received an e-mail – “Confirmation of your Entry to Edinburgh Marathon” – Ah well loads of time it’s not until 26th May 2013!!!
At this stage it’s far to say I had never done any serious running, only thing I’d ever done was enter a few 10K races and a few Parkruns since joining the Bounders – However nothing like setting yourself a target!!
So Marathon Training when did that start? Well the easy answer is simple – immediate the Bounders Tuesday sessions and then the Wednesday “training” sessions then became a regular occurrence for me, not just for the exercise and to build mileage up into my legs but the camaraderie and encouragement from all fellow Bounders. Because of this encouragement this inspired me to attend Run England, at first this was just helping the Run Leaders with managing and encouraging the group then this turned into attending the Leader in Running Fitness course and becoming a fully active Run Leader – the satisfaction of all these ‘new runners’ thanking you after a session is, and always will be, an absolutely amazing feeling especially when they return for more of the same at the next session.
So training started well in advance of Edinburgh just by becoming a more regular attendee at sessions and entering organised events (we’ll not call them races as most of us are not going to win!!), again the encouragement from other Club Runners, not just Bounders, at these events is amazing and really spurred me on to do the best I could (Yep that’s my competitive streak coming out). However I felt that it was important to set myself targets and goals along the training regime to ensure both I and my body were comfortable with any pace or distance I chose to run.
The focus on Edinburgh really started for me in January 2013 along with the many Bounders who had been fortunate to be accepted into the London Marathon, this included a mixture of short runs, speed work and long runs most of the time alongside runners of many differing abilities – for me personally this was very important and helpful and a training run by myself is not my most favourite thing in the world. So consistent training and luckily an injury free few months and I was raring to go on May 26th.
Having just celebrated another 21st birthday my very supportive better half and I decided to make a weekend of the Edinburgh Marathon Festival and travelled by train on the Friday to enable me to have a nice relaxing day on the Saturday. This happened with one or two selected refreshment spots through the very warm day, meeting with a few fellow bounders for the all important Pasta meal and then a relaxing early night back at the hotel. Typically I probably had the worst nights sleep possible before the big event – nerves, fear excitement the lot I just wanted to run!!!!!!!
Rising early to beautiful blue sky – I thought at least it’s not windy!!!! Anyway sensible breakfast of porridge, various fresh fruit & wholemeal toast consumed it was soon time for a slow walk to the starting pens. With nice white clouds now blanketing the sun all was set for perfect running conditions. Arriving at the start at 9.30am for the 10.00am start all I could think about was 2.00pm and I’ll be finished. After a good warm up at the starting pens I was greeted by a Tyne Bridge Harrier who recognised me from just beating him at the cross country events (yes I know I’m competitive) and we took our position at the front of our designated area. 10.00am arrived and no start! the next 4 minutes passed with me becoming more restless and just wanting to run, 10.05am and we were off!!!! after a 100mtrs I thought Whoooooaaa this is fast, and downhill relax!!! slow down!!! After the initial adrenalin rush had eased I settled into a comfortable and manageable pace whilst keeping an eye on the TBH who had eased about 10 yards in front of me. After the initial 2 mile I decided to run alongside my new found friend and quickly learned that he was aiming for a 3hr 30minute finishing time – undaunted by this (my target was 4 hours) I managed to keep him company for the first 10 mile at what I must say became a very comfortable pace (helped along the way with seeing fellow Bounder Nick Hattrick and Karen Ogle from PB Fitness RC running and magnificent shout outs from the crowd). Ensuring I was hydrating at the necessary watering holes along the way I was pleasantly surprised that I was maintaining a pace well below 8.00min/mile.
At this point I realised I had lost sight of my TBH colleague and continued along the pleasant Flat coastline just keeping my focus on ensuring my body was comfortable with the pace my legs were carrying me, my goal at this stage was to reach 18 mile with no pain knowing I would then only have 8 mile to the finish. 18 mile done next target was 20 mile which I negotiated at very consistent pace, it was at this point that I felt myself slowing down – quick check on my Garmin confirmed this but to my utter surprise it also confirmed that if I could run the final 6 mile in 1 hour I could break 3:30:00. Quickly re-focusing my mind I concentrated on ensuring my pace remained below 9.00min/mile pace for each mile remaining. Breaking this down again I reached the 23 mile point and thought “well that’s the furthest I’ve ever ran – just a Parkrun to go”. Wanting to push on my legs just wouldn’t allow it however I was pleased to see I was still managing under 9.00min/mile pace. Now it was getting hard, 24 mile came along and thankfully the roadside was getting fuller and fuller with crowds cheering everyone on which again give me the boost to maintain my current pace (I was going to put speed there, but that didn’t sound right!). 25 mile came and all I wanted to do was go faster, again my legs said no and just kept turning at the same pace however breaking into the final half mile the noise from the crowd was fantastic and realising I was now starting to overtake fellow runners my whole body relaxed my head was still and upright – I felt like a real runner – I was on the brink of a fantastic achievement completing my first marathon after only a year of ‘serious’ running.
The final corner came and the finish was in sight then Boiiiinggg! I’d hit the rubber mats on the grass finish, trying to put up a sprint became impossible my legs felt like they were on springs!!!!
Delighted to bounce over the line I was delighted to receive my memento, goody bag and a good guzzle of water and within minutes meet up with my very supportive better half, Paula, and fellow Bounders Rachel Hopps & Amanda Philips and have my mobile phone thrust into my face with the unbelievable message from the Edinburgh Marathon Festival with my finishing time of 3 hours 29 minutes and 39 seconds.
It was always an ambition of mine to take part in a Marathon – it is hard work but the most important thing is the work you put in beforehand with the support you get from the people around you.
Personally without everyone involved in Blackhill Bounders and Run England all of the above would not have been possible for me and if this can persuade anyone to challenge themselves to take part in a marathon, half marathon or a run of any distance it would give me just as much pleasure and completing the Marathon myself.
